BYD is very interested in taking over Menarini’s Flumeri plant

We do not have official confirmation (yet), but according to reports in the local Irpinia press (Orticalab and IrpiniaTv), and following some checks of our own italian sister platform AUTOBUS, BYD is very interested in acquiring the Menarini Bus factory in Flumeri, in the Ufita Valley.

According to these reports, representatives of the Chinese giant have made several visits in recent weeks, most notably the manufacturer’s Executive Vice President Stella Li, accompanied by officials from Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, headed by Adolfo Urso.

The potential deal would therefore appear to have the ministry’s backing. BYD, however, is reportedly not the only interested party: other Chinese companies are also said to be interested in taking over Flumeri.

BYD expands in Europe and Italy

BYD already has two operational plants in Europe, both in Hungary, and a division — BYD Europe — that has been firmly established in the Netherlands for years and is expanding. On the bus side, this includes the recruitment of Stéphane Espinasse from Iveco as its new head of buses in Europe, while on the truck side, Fabrizio Buffa has also joined from Iveco as Regional Manager for Italy and the Balkans. Other appointments include Andrea Codecasa, formerly of Daimler, as Bus Sales Director for Italy at BYD Europe, former Stellantis executive Domenico Gostoli as BYD’s Head of Truck & Bus for Europe, and Alfredo Altavilla, formerly of FCA and now an advisor to BYD for the European market.

BYD and Menarini Bus reportedly in talks over the Flumeri factory

According to the same local press reports, talks are underway between Menarini Bus’s owner, SERI Industrial, controlled by the Civitillo family and led by CEO Vittorio Civitillo, and senior executives at the Shenzhen-based giant. Under BYD’s reported plans, the Flumeri plant, one of Europe’s largest bus manufacturing facilities, would be used to produce electric cars, a segment in which BYD has been gaining considerable ground.

Meanwhile, Menarini Bus would reportedly move production back to Bologna, although we consider this a very difficult, if not impossible, undertaking. There is also speculation that BYD, or another potential Chinese buyer, could enter into an industrial and commercial partnership with Menarini itself, which unveiled its new electric bus range with great fanfare in Milan just a few months ago and, according to statements Civitillo made to us, had major projects in the pipeline.

As always when it comes to the former IIA, there is a lot going on. And a great many workers are once again left with a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.